The inquest into the death of a lap band patient has heard night staff at the Hobart Private Hospital were concerned about her before she was later discharged by her surgeon over the phone.

Joanne York died in January 2010, 10 days after having lap band surgery.

She was readmitted to the Hobart Private Hospital four days after the operation, treated for a chest infection and discharged after five days.

Emergency surgery revealed a widespread infection and a perforation of her stomach.

The inquest heard from Mrs York's nurse on the morning of her second discharge, Leanne Cowen, who said night staff had been concerned that Mrs York was very breathless.

She said Mrs York had seemed fine that morning and was keen to go home.

Ms Cowen told the inquest she told Mrs York she had prefer her to see a doctor and had "stalled for time", hoping surgeon Stephen Wilkinson would see Mrs York despite him already approving her discharge over the phone.

The inquest has heard different versions about whether the surgeon was given updated information on Mrs York's condition and vital signs.

Nurse Tilly Horeck told the inquest she was on the phone to Mr Wilkinson when she was asked to check with him if Mrs York could be discharged.

She said she was not given any other patient information and Mr Wilkinson did not ask.

Nurse Leanne Cowen told the inquest she had sat with Ms Horeck during the call with the patient's file, tapping the observations which concerned her.

The inquest has heard Mr Wilkinson says he had a detailed update when he approved Mrs York's discharge.

The Hobart Private Hospital is now introducing a system of doing handovers in front of patients.

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